Desk for typewriters or like machines



'oct. 8, .1929. NE 1,731,096

DESK FOR TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE IACHINES Fil ed Sept. 16. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY:

Oct. 8, 1929. RQ I 1,131,096

' masx FOR 'r'yrnwm'rnns on LIKE nc ruuns Filed Sept. 16, 1925 3 Sheets-611 091: 2

INVENTOR Oct. 8, 1929. R. c. ERSKINE DESK FOR TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE IACHINES Filed Sept. 16, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet w 9 3 w I, w

NEY

Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH C. ERSKINE, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO ERSKINE-DANFORTH CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK DESK FOR 'IYIEWRITERS 0R LIKE MACHINES Application filed September 16, 1925. Serial No. 56,626.

This invention relates to construction for desks for typewriters or similar machines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a construction of the above nature which is thoroughly practical and efficient and of maximum utility, adapted to meet the requirements of use in a highly satisfactory manner. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is attractive and pleasing in appearance. Another object is to provide such a construction capable of housing and protecting the typewriter or other machine in a dependable manner. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which affords a highly useful desk surface at all times whether or not the machine is in use; Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out herein after.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective showing the desk in closed position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the desk opened and a typewriter in position for use;

Figure 3 is a central vertical section though the upper portion of the desk with the parts closed;

Figure at is similar to Fig. 3, but showing the parts opened;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the desk with certain parts cut away to better disclose the structure;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the desk with certain parts in section;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a portion of the typewriter support in the desk, and

Figure 8 is a section along the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and first to Figure 1, the lower body portion of the desk comprises two similar side portions 10 and 11 supported by a pair of front legs 12 and rear legs 13. These side portions 10 and 11 are preferably provided with suitable drawers such as 1 1 and 15. The desk top 16 is supported by the two side portions 10 and 11 and is slidable thereon, being preferably made in two slidable sections 16 and 16 In Figure 1 the desk top sections 16 and 16 are shown closed, in which position they abut preferably along a line substantially at the center of the desk and extending transversely thereof from front to rear. In Figure 2 the desk top sections are shown slid away from each other to open position exposing the parts of the desk normally covered by the central portion of the desk top. A horizontal bed 17 extends between the two side portions 10 and 11 at a level substantially below the level of the desk top 16. This bed 17 is adapted to support the typewriter or other machine, as shown in Figure 2, and as will be described more fully.

At the back of the desk is built up a structure 18 which rises up a substantialdistance above the level of the desk top 16. This structure 18 is divided vertically into three com partments 19, 20 and 21. As shown in Figure 3, the bed 17 forms the base of the central compartinent 19 and this compartment is adapted to house the typewriter when the machine is not in use. The side compartments 20 and 21 may be provided with suitable shelves 22, as shown in Figure 2, or they may be otherwise divided up into suitable receptacles for the reception of papers or books or other ma terial.

It will be seen that the bed 17 forms with the side portions 10 and 11 of the desk a passage 23 extending outwardly toward the front of the desk from the compartment 19. This passage 23 is adapted to accommodate the typewriter and provision is made for moving "the typewriter forwardly from the compartment 19to the forward portion of the bed 17 and to a position for use. In Figure 4 the typwriter is shown moved forwardly to such pesition.

Preferably the typewriter is mounted upon a suitable carriage 2a which is movable back and forth along the passage 23 and into and out of the compartment 19. As shown in Figure 7 this carriage is provided with rollers 25 which ride upon suitable rails 26 mounted upon the bed 17. Depending flanges 28 at either side of the rollers 25 engage the sides of the rails 26 and guide the carriage in its forward or backward movement. In order to properly position the typewriter within the compar ment 19 or in its forward operative position and in order to steady the typewriter in such positions and prevent accidental displacement thereof recesses 29 are provided at the proper points in the rails 26. The rollers'25 drop into these recesses and the type writer is properly positioned and held thereby.

Considering new more particularly the desk top sections'16 and 16', these are preferably slidably secured upon the side portions 10 and 11 of the'de'sk by means of longitudin al'dove-tailed ways 30 on the under side thereof fitting into dove-tailed grooves. As has been mentioned above, the two desk top sections whenclosed'abut substantially at the center of the desk. "When slid to open. position, they eompletely expose the bed 17 and the passage 23 for the forward movement of the typewriter to operative position. Suitable cleats 16 and 16 are provided which limit the inward movement of the desk top sections to their proper closing posit-ions so that they cannot be moved beyond center'and are properly closed with the greatest convenience. In order to limit the outward movement of the desk top sections dowel pins 31 may be provided, as best shown in Figure 3. These dowels 31 rest in recesses when the desk top sections are fully opened so that they do not project into the passage 23 for the typewriter. Also dowels 32 are preferably provided on the inner end of one of the sections, these dowels fitting into recesses on the inner end of the other section so as to properly guide the two sections into abutting relation and avoid any possibility of misalinement.

In the desk herein described the full surface of the desk top 16 is available for use whether the desk top is closed or opened. If the desk top is littered with papers or other material it may still be moved back and forth to closed or opened posit-ion without disturbing the material which may be thereon.

Moreover, the desk top whether .in opened or closed position remains always at the same elevation which will be the proper elevation for most convenient use "of the'desk top for writing or other purposes. The desk top is thus always ofmaximum utility.

The frontof the compartment 19 at its portion above the level of the desk top 16 is provided with a removable closure preferably taking; the form of a tambour 33. This tainbour 33 preferably slides vertically and folds back into the upper portion of the compartment 19, as shown in Figure 3. hen this tambour 33 is closed the bottom slat thereof extends downwardly below the level of the desk top 16. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, there are provided on this bottom slat a pair of forwardly projecting metal strips and 35. The strip 34 takes into a groove 36 in the rear edge of the desk top section 16 and the strip 35 takes into a groove 37 in the rear edge of the desk top sect-ion 16. When the desk top sections are in closed position, these strips 3% and 35 thus prevent raising of the tambour 33 and thus prevent access to the typewriter. Moreover these strips 34 and 35 extend clear to the sides of the tambour 33 so that they are in engagement with the grooves 36 and 37 until the sections 16 and 16 'are moved outwardly to their fullest extent. Thus the tambour 33 cannot be raised until the desk top 16 is completely opened and the passage 23 is completely exposed and cleared. This prevents banging up of the desk top sections or of the typewriter by attempting to draw the typewriter outwardly before the desk is fully open-ed.

The forward end of the passage 23 is norand 41 which respectively take into the desk top sections 16 and 16. When the desk is locked by means of this lock'39, the desk top sections 16 and 16 cannot be separated or moved to open position. Until the desk top sections are moved to open position the tambour 33 cannot be raised. The lock 39 thus completely prevents access to the typewriter.

The panel 38 is preferably hinged so that when closed it will assume the position shown in Figure 3 and when opened it will assume the position shown in Figure 4. In closed position the lower edge of the panel rests upon the bed 17 and its outer surface is sub stantially flush with the front end of the bed 17. In open position the panel drops down into alinement with the bed 17 and forms an extension of the bed. Preferably the tracks 26 are provided with extensions 26 secured to the surface of the panel 38. Thus, if desired, the typewriter may be drawn out forwardly beyond the position shown in Figure t until it is supported in part by the panel 38, in which position the typewriter is close into the lap of the operator. Preferably recesses 29 are provided in the track portion 26 to position the typewriter when it is drawn outwardly to such extent. Any suitable hinges may be employed to mount the panel 88 for its movement back and forth between closed and open position. A convenient form of hinge is that shown at 38 in the drawings. These hin e are provided with extra links which pcrr t the required moven'ien of the panel. It will be seen that when the panel is open the edge thereof abuts against the end of the bed 17 and the panel is thereby braced against the weight of the typewriter.

The con'ipartments 20 and 21 at the sides of the typewriter compartment 19 are pro vided with closures preferably taking t form of tambours 4-2 and 43. These ta1nhours 42 and d3 comprise preferably vertical slats and slide laterally, folding into the sides of the compartments. The bottom edges of these tambours 42 and 452) preferably extend below the level of the desk top 16 but their opening is not dependent upon the opening of the desk top. They may be opened and closed regardless of whether the desk top is in open position or in closed posi 'on and, if desired,they may be provided with separate locking devices. Thus the compartments 24) and 21 are accessible for use whether or not the desk is open for use of the typewriter. Moreover, these compartments may be opened and closed without the necessity of disarranging work ha t may be laid out upon the desk top.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that thercis h rein provided a desk construction which achieves the objects of this invention and attains many advantages of great practical importance. The typewriter is dependablv housed and protected when not in use and moreover the machine remains always in upright position. l i hen the typewriter is not in use the desk substantially the appearance of an ordinary desk and, whether the typewriter is in position for use or not, the appearance of the desk is pleasing and attractive. The typewr supported at the proper elevation for use and, at thesaine time, the des top surface is always available without variations in height or available area.

As many possible embodinients may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be i ade in the embodiments above set fo ith. it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and n in limiting sense.

l claim as mv invention:

liln desk for typewriters or like machines, in combination, horizontal desk top, a com iartment the rear of said desk top ted to house the machine, a passage for M, l machine ex ending forwardly from said con'ipartment below the level of said desk top and hormally closed thereby, means mounting said desk top for sliding movement in its horie r is chines, in combination, a horizontal desk top, I

a compartment at the rear of said desk top adapted to house the machine, a passage extending forwardly from said compartment below the level of said desk top and normally closed thereby, said machine being adapted to be drawn forwardly along said passage and from said compartment for use, means mounting said des top for sliding movement to an open position to expose said passage, a closure for the front of said compartment, and means adapted to prevent opening of said closure until said desk top is slid to a position compl tely removed from above said passage.

3. In a desk for typewriters or like machines, in combination, a sectional horizontal desk top, a compartment at the rear of said desk top adapted to house the machine, a passage extending forwardly from said compart nient below the level of said desk top and normally closed thereby, said machine being adapted to be drawn forwardly along said passage and from said compartment for use,

means mounting the sections of said desk top for sliding movement in the horizontal plane of the desk top and away from one another to open position to expose said. passage, a sliding cover for the front of said compartment slidable upwardly to open position, and means adapted to prevent opening of said slidable cover until said desk top sections are slid to open position.

4-. in a desk for typewriters or like machines, in combination, a sliding desk top, a compartment at the rear of said desk top adapted to house a tyoewriter, a passage extending forwardly from said compartment beneath said desk top, said desk top being adapted to be slid to open position to expose said passage, a movable cov r for the front of said compartment. and means adapted to prevent opening of said cover until said desk top is slid to open position.

5. in a desk for typewriters or like machines, in combination, a sliding desk top, a compartment at the rear of said desk top adapted to house a typewriter, a passage extending forwardly from said compartment beneath said desk top, said desk top being adapted to be slid to open position to expose said passage, a movable cover for the front of said compartment, means adapted to prevent opening of said cover until said desk top is i l to open position, a movable cover for the front end of said passage, and a k cooperating with said last cover and said desk top adapted to 100k said desk top inclosed position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this first day of September,'1925.

RALPH C. ERSKINE. 

